UNIT 5

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 Illustrate understanding of the structure of an argumentative composition-

introduction, body and conclusion
 Create and sustain a clear and logical viewpoint using convincing evidence, opinions
and information
 Develop their own arguments and counterarguments
 Present arguments in a clear and persuasive way
 Address any possible objections towards their arguments
 Use cohesion- addition and contrast connectives
 Use language devices designed to persuade the audience
 Present a compelling conclusion
 Portray thorough understanding of grammatical rules, punctuation, sentence
structure variation, use of correct spelling.

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

1. What is the first part of an argumentative essay and what three elements is it
composed of?
2. What is the difference between a counterargument and a rebuttal?
3. Determine whether the following statements about argumentative essay are TRUE
or FALSE.
a) In argumentative essays, it is important to clearly state your position or
claim.
 b) Evidence plays a crucial role in supporting arguments in an argumentative
writing.
c) Emotional appeals are more effective than logical reasoning in
argumentative essays.
d) Counterarguments should be acknowledged and addressed in an
argumentative piece.
e) Personal anecdotes are considered strong evidence in this kind of essay.
f) A strong argumentative essay presents multiple perspectives on the issue
being discussed.
g) The conclusion of an argumentative essay should restate the main points
without introducing new information.
h) Transition words and phrases are important for creating coherence and flow
in an argumentative essay.
i) It is acceptable to use biased or unreliable sources to support your
arguments.
j) It is crucial to anticipate and address potential counterarguments.

TEACHING METHODS

 Lecture and discussion

 Peer review
 Illustrating and modeling
 Collaborative learning
WHAT IS ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING?

riting an argumentative composition is different from writing any other

composition because the aim and style are different. Unlike in the narrative where
you are telling a story and recounting events and the descriptive where you are
describing and painting a picture with words, in the argumentative composition,
you express your ideas and opinion about a certain issue or topic. You convince
the reader of your opinion by making a clear and strong argument, and you
reassure them that your position is logical, ethical and ultimately right. The best
thing you do is to look at the topic, think about as much information as possible and then
establish your position and stand on that topic then use logic and facts to convince the reader.

How do you convince the reader?

 By clearly showing your stand point or viewpoint on the matter, say it out loud.

For example: I strongly believe that…

 Formulate details to support your opinion. Provide convincing details such as reasons,
facts, statistical evidence and examples to make your opinion more appealing.

 Get ways to connect your ideas so that they are clearly seen and understood.
STRUCTURE OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE COMPOSITION

The standard format of writing a composition has a three part structure. There is an introductory
section, main body and the conclusion. There are conventional rules of what should be included
and what should not be included in each of these sections. So, similarly to the other composition
types, an argumentative composition is composed of these three sections.

 INTRODUCTION
Beginnings are always vital. Here, is where the writer grabs the attention of the
reader so that they are compelled to read further. The introduction should begin
with what is known as a hook which draws the reader in and raises their curiosity
about what the reader has to say. Because of this, the first sentence should be
made as interesting as possible by using:
 A fact
 A surprising statement
 A question

You need to provide some background information about the topic. This shows the reader that
you understand what the issue is and who the issue is important to. In other words, it provides
necessary details and context that the reader needs to fully understand the argument that is being
made and also prepares them for the upcoming thesis.

Another important component of an introduction is the writer’s viewpoint which is stated in form
of a thesis statement. It contains the controlling idea and therefore guides your argument. The
thesis statement is usually at the end of the introductory paragraph and it should be stated clearly
and boldly.

Example:

Imagine a world where the daily decision of what to wear becomes a thing of the past,
freeing up precious time and mental energy for more important tasks. Picture the
convenience and ease of waking up each morning and effortlessly slipping into a pre-
selected ensemble. It sounds enticing, doesn’t it? The concept of a simplified wardrobe,
often referred to as uniform, has gained traction in recent years, sparking a debate about
its merits and drawbacks. It would, however be very beneficial for students to wear their
uniforms to school.

TIP

To make your essay appealing and convincing, it is very important to choose a

side on which you have stronger and more compelling arguments, and that the
points you have brainstormed are planned properly.

Activity

Analyse the following argumentative essay introduction and identify its

components: hook, thesis statement and background information. Consider
the effectiveness of the hook in capturing the reader’s attention, the clarity
of the thesis statement in outlining the main argument, and the relevance of
the background information in setting up the essay’s argument. Provide
your analysis and discuss how these elements work together to engage the
reader and establish the essay’s focus.

“Did you know that the average American child now spends over seven
hours a day in front of screens, but only about 20 minutes engaging in
physical activity? This alarming statistic highlights a growing concern
regarding the sedentary lifestyles of today’s youth. As educators, it is our
responsibility to address this issue and ensure that our students are equipped
with the necessary tools for a healthy and active future. This essay will argue
that physical education should be a mandatory component of the school
curriculum, as it not only promotes physical fitness but also enhances
academic performance and cultivates essential life skills.”
  BODY
A good argumentative piece contains at least three distinct arguments – the main
argument, the counterargument and the rebuttal. Each body paragraph begins
with a transition word, then a reason that supports the thesis statement, which is
substantiated with credible evidence - examples, quotes, facts, and statistics.
Explanation should be provided to show what the evidence proves.

The main argument: after you provide the reader with contextual knowledge, you are ready to
state your claims which relate to the information you have provided previously. This section
outlines your major points to the reader. You should explain your reasons and evidence
convincingly to the reader. Be sure to thoroughly justify your reasons, you can provide
supplementary evidence and sub points.

Counterargument: what the other people are saying about the topic has to be acknowledged, to
show that you are informed about the topic. Be in a position to anticipate a counterargument that
negates the main points in your argument. Don’t avoid arguments that oppose your own, instead,
familiarize yourself with the opposing perspective. If you acknowledge counterarguments, you
appear unbiased and therefore earn the respect of your readers.

Rebuttal: in this section, you incorporate your own evidence that disagrees with the
counterargument. It is essential to include a logical and well supported connection between your
claim and the evidence that supports it. If you present data to your audience without explaining
how it supports your thesis, your readers may not make a connection between the two, or they
may draw different conclusions.

The main argument should be followed by a counterargument (opposing position). Providing

a counterargument is credibility to the essay and it helps to gain the reader’s trust. It is always
wise to remember that the intended audience is not always the people inclined to agree with your
thesis, so you need to convince them by providing the most persuasive case possible. And to do
this, you need to show them that you know of certain possibilities, but your position is logical,
ethical and ultimately right.
 TIP

While you may have your opinion, it is of paramount importance to consider and
acknowledge both sides of an argument.

However, raising an objection (counterargument) is not always going to help your case unless
you have a reply to it. So a good argumentative piece will always have a section where you
defend your argument by replying to the objection raised. This is done in a form of a rebuttal,
which provides reason to disprove the counterargument. It is important to note that the
counterargument is a distinct argument and its reply (rebuttal) is another. So the main argument
of the reply is that the objection in the preceding paragraph is not valid.

We can summarise this by saying a good argumentative composition has a main body where the
argument is presented, objections are considered and the reply is offered to defend the opinion.

Transition words

Good transitions connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole which
helps the reader to move easily through the text and to see links between ideas in a text. Instead
of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs
work together, reference one another and build to a larger point.

Transitions and connectors for argumentative papers

 Adding support
Additionally
Furthermore
In a similar way
Moreover
Similarly
Likewise
On top of that
What is more
 Besides
 Adding a Counterargument (opposing point of view)
Although
Though
Even though
While it is true that
Some might argue that

 Adding a Refutation
Despite this
In spite of this
However
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
On the other hand
Yet

Activity

Compose a paragraph that presents a counterargument to your main claim.

Then, provide a clear rebuttal to address and refute that counterargument.
Identify at least two transitional words or phrases used to introduce the
counterargument and the rebuttal. Explain how these transitional words
contribute to the coherence and flow of your argument.
CONCLUSION

This, like in any case, is the final paragraph of your composition, and the last chance to convince
the reader of your viewpoint; therefore, it should be very memorable. You also want them to
keep thinking about your point even after they finish reading. Therefore, the conclusion should
restate the thesis, summarise the reasons that support your stance and end with a strong statement
about the topic-a prediction or a warning of repercussions that may occur if the idea is not taken
seriously.

Example:

In summary, students must wear uniforms if schools need an excellent atmosphere for
learning. It is a very simple way to create a sense of community and belonging, which is
essential for the mental health of all children. When students feel secure and less stressed,
they will be more successful in school. And an educational environment like that certainly
sounds like the best course of action for the future.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KNOW IT IS AN ARGUMENTATIVE COMPOSITION

YOU HAVE TO WRITE?

1. Argumentative composition questions can be identified by looking for certain keywords

and phrases that indicate a position that needs to be defended. Here are some common
indicators:
 “Should” or “ought to”: Questions that begin with these words often require you to take
a stance and argue for or against a particular idea or action.
Example: Should students wear uniforms to school?

 “Discuss the pros and cons”: Questions that ask you to discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of a particular issue or topic often require you to present arguments from
both sides and reach a conclusion.
Example: Discuss the pros and cons of wearing school uniforms to school.
 “Argue for or against”: Questions that explicitly ask you to argue for or against a
specific position indicate an argumentative composition.
Example: Argue for or against the use of…

 If the essay prompt includes words such as convince, justify, debate, defend, support,
refute, it indicates that you need to present an argument and provide evidence to
persuade the reader of your viewpoint.

 “Is it true that”: These questions prompt you to critically analyse a statement or claim and
argue for or against its validity.
Example: Is it true that violent video games lead to aggressive behavior in children?

2. Argumentative essays typically revolve around controversial or debatable topics. If it is a

question or statement that has more than one valid perspective or opposing viewpoints, it
is likely that an argumentative essay is expected.

3. Argumentative essays require the writer to present a clear claim or thesis statement and
provide evidence and reasoning to support that claim. If the question explicitly asks you
to take a stance, defend a position, or argue for or against a particular idea or concept, it
is an indication that you should write an argumentative piece.

VOCABULARY

 Stance (noun): A position taken on a particular issue or topic

Example: The principal took a strong stance on the issue, stating that he would not
compromise on his position.

 Repercussion (noun): A consequence or result

Example: The principal’s strong stance on the issue had some serious repercussions as it
alienated some of his employees.
 Pros and Cons (noun):: The advantages and disadvantages of something or the negative
and positive aspects of something
something.
Example: Weighing the pros and cons of the new school rule, the students decided to
vote against it.

ASSESSMENT

ANSWER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Choose a controversial topic of your interest and write an argumentative essay

presenting your position on the issue. Support your argument with relevant
evidence and address potential counterarguments.

2. Should schools prioritize teaching digital literacy skills over traditional subjects?

3. In a well-developed
developed paragraph, discuss the importance of using reliable sources in
argumentative writing and explain how they strengthen the overall argument.
a